In an instant, the communication terminal refreshed with a dense list of assigned tasks.
But what seized every wizard’s attention was the topmost entry, marked in vivid scarlet text as a “Mandatory Mission”:
[All wizards must, per headquarters’ orders, establish “signal nodes” within Plane 655-4488-32194158 (henceforth: Void Plane) to assist in mapping its internal structure.]
Below the mission were numerous clauses and detailed requirements.
Jie Ming skimmed through them, summarizing that all wizards like him, currently exploring outward, were to immediately return to the “Ship Plane” to collect “signal markers” from logistics.
In subsequent operations, they were required to place a marker every thousand kilometers within the effective communication range of the markers.
After reading it twice, Jie Ming found the mandatory mission acceptable.
Aside from forcing wizards to abandon hard-earned exploration zones and return to the “Ship Plane,” potentially incurring minor losses, the remaining requirements weren’t overly demanding.
Jie Ming clearly recalled the contract signed at the Junction. While the supreme commander of a planar war could issue mandatory missions, such directives were subject to strict regulations.
Since the seventh-rank great wizard Dionysius Spencer had issued this mission, it meant he believed it would ultimately benefit all wizards present.In truth, Jie Ming agreed.
Jie Ming casually scrolled through the other, non-mandatory tasks.
Most were acquisition missions for the Void Plane’s unique resources, especially an almost “unlimited” demand for exotic living creatures.
While the rewards for these missions were lower than selling such items back at the Junction, they were convenient and quick.
For most wizards, it was a reasonable choice.
As he adjusted his course, swiftly flying toward the “Ship Plane,” Jie Ming browsed the task list on his terminal.
Though they were just tasks, they revealed much about this expedition.
Suddenly, his gaze froze, his brow furrowing at a particular task.
[Emergency Mission: Search for Lost Wizards.]
[Participation Restriction: Limited to wizards of third rank or above, proficient in “spatial knowledge.”]
Due to his insufficient rank, Jie Ming couldn’t access the mission’s detailed information.
But the title alone was worth pondering.
A “lost wizard” wasn’t a big deal in itself.
In a place where direction was hard to discern, straying beyond the terminal’s signal range could easily lead to getting lost.
But paired with the participation restriction, it became troubling.
“Is this ‘loss’ caused by a spatial issue?” Jie Ming mused.
The Void Plane’s most abundant element was undoubtedly “wind element.”
In wizard knowledge, “wind element” was tied to “space.”
Thus, the plane likely had numerous unstable spatial turbulence zones.
If unlucky, one might even be swept into self-contained spatial turbulence with no physical exit.
Trapped in such a place, one could only hope for external rescue or possess the power to shatter space itself.
Otherwise, they’d be stuck there forever!
“I overlooked this issue. After returning, I should check the ‘Ship Plane’ market for artifacts that stabilize local space or lock my spatial coordinates…”
As Jie Ming pondered, a sudden chill exploded from his instincts, a primal sense of mortal danger erupting like a volcano!
But before he could fully register the threat, an attack struck, silent and ghostly!
It was a perfect assassination.
Fast! Precise! Ruthless!
And utterly silent!
The attack caused no energy fluctuations, no piercing whistle through the air, not even a trace of killing intent.
It was like a phantom’s fang, materializing from nowhere, aimed straight at Jie Ming’s brow!
At the instant the invisible strike nearly grazed his skin, a long-dormant, low-power energy shield hidden on Jie Ming’s body flared to life.
Bang—!
A muffled sound, like shattering glass, exploded in his ears!
Jie Ming’s pupils contracted.
He saw, right before him, his shield—capable of withstanding a full strike from a second-rank wizard—crack like a spiderweb.
Only through the energy reaction triggered by the shield’s impact could Jie Ming barely discern a faint, crystalline “cone” stabbing toward his face.
Thankfully, the sudden shield bought him a precious fraction of a second.
Relying on combat instincts, he jerked aside, narrowly dodging the lethal strike!
The cone grazed his cheek, its residual force stinging his skin!
In that split second, Jie Ming strained his eyes, scanning his surroundings.
But… he found nothing.
Aside from the fleeting glimpse of the crystal-like “cone” limb revealed during its clash with his shield, the attacker left no trace in this world!
After Jie Ming dodged, it vanished like ink dissolving in water.
“Roar!!!”
Only then did the five black giants react.
With furious bellows, their massive forms moved, encircling Jie Ming in a solid defensive ring.
They warily scanned every inch of the surrounding space.
Jie Ming had no time to think, instinctively layering himself with shields of different attributes.
He then sank his mind into the runic artifact on his wrist, checking the status of his Scouting Eye and Five Aggregates Rainbow Mirror.
“Thermal imaging, vibration waves, sonar, soul detection, energy diffusion, life detection… Damn it! All detection methods are active, yet I didn’t spot the enemy?!”
Confirming his Scouting Eye and Five Aggregates Rainbow Mirror were fully operational, Jie Ming felt a chill.
So many detection methods, yet none had sensed the enemy’s approach…
Just as he processed this unsettling fact, another lethal attack descended from above, without warning!
Once again, none of his detection methods could trace its source.
And its destructive power was even greater than before!
Despite preemptively raising multiple shields, they shattered like paper, offering no protection!
Fortunately, Jie Ming was prepared this time.
He dodged the fatal strike just in time, suffering only a deep, bone-exposing gash on his left arm.
Though the attack was overwhelmingly powerful, Jie Ming let out a cold smirk.
Watching his arm rapidly heal under his body refinement technique, he had already deduced the enemy’s method of concealment.
“A creature naturally adept at ‘spatial’ abilities? My arm wasn’t sacrificed in vain… This is a jackpot!”
From the wound, Jie Ming sensed a familiar yet alien energy eroding his flesh.
He recognized it as pure “spatial” energy!
It was “familiar” because he had spent over a decade studying “spatial rifts.”
It was “alien” because, even now, he couldn’t manipulate this mysterious force in the slightest.
Clearly, the enemy’s ability to shatter multiple shields relied on this “spatial” power, which ignored most energy and physical defenses!